How to Seal Outdoor Stone Pavers

Apply sealer to enhance color and prevent stains on stone pavers.

Outdoor paving stones readily absorb stains, such as oil, grease and water stains, with absorption rates that vary according to the porosity. With a major landscaping expense such as paving stones, you want your investment to hold up against frequent abuse and repel such unsightly stains. You should always purchase a paver sealer when you purchase paving stones so you can provide immediate protection to your investment. Porous outdoor stone requires a water-based acrylic or poly sealer. Water-based impregnating sealers work well for marble, granite and limestone. Color enhancer and sealer combinations work for all types of unsealed stone.

Cleaning the Stone

1

Spray a degreasing agent directly onto grease and oil stains, which are common in paver stone driveways. Spray enough degreaser to thoroughly saturate the stain and penetrate the stone.

2

Scrub the entire paved stone surface with a long-handled scrub brush and a solution of dish detergent and hot water. Pay particular attention to the stained areas, scrubbing vigorously to remove as much of the stain as possible so the stain isn't sealed in the stones.

3

Spray the paved area with a garden hose to remove any debris and thoroughly rinse the stones. The stones must be free of debris and detergent before sealing. Clean the stones at least one day before sealing to allow enough time to dry.

Sealing the Stones

1

Wash and seal the stones on a hot, sunny day to ensure rapid, thorough drying.

2

Shake the sealer vigorously and pour the sealer into a paint tray or bucket.

3

Roll the sealer over the stones with a paint brush roller, using long, even strokes. Apply the sealer generously enough that the stones readily absorb the sealer and the surface remains wet without leaving pools of sealer on the stone surface. Roll over each stone only once to prevent streak marks.

4

Allow the sealer to dry for about one hour. Touch the stones with your hands to make sure the stones are dry.

5

Apply a second coat of stone sealer over the entire paved surface. Allow the stones to dry for about 48 hours before opening the paved area to traffic.

Things You Will Need

Degreaser

Long-handled scrub brush

Dish detergent

Cleaning bucket

Paint tray or bucket

Paint roller

Painting pole attachment

Tip

Put the paint roller on a long pole attachment so you can paint long strokes while standing up.

You can use a paint sprayer in place of a roller, but avoid using paint brushes because brush bristles create visible streaks on the pavers.

About the Author

A former cake decorator and competitive horticulturist, Amelia Allonsy is most at home in the kitchen or with her hands in the dirt. She received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites.